Name: The biology of gender, from DNA to the brain
Uploaded: 2019-01-10T15:59:42Z
Duration: 12 min 43 s
Description: How exactly does gender work? It's not just about our chromosomes, says biologist Karissa Sanbonmatsu. In a visionary talk, she shares new discoveries from epigenetics, the emerging study of how DNA activity can permanently change based on social factors like trauma or diet. Learn how life experiences shape the way genes are expressed -- and what that means for our understanding of gender.

Karissa Sanbonmatsu: The biology of gender, from DNA to the brain

The biology of gender, from DNA to the brain

How exactly does gender work? It's not just about our chromosomes, says biologist Karissa Sanbonmatsu. In a visionary talk, she shares new discoveries from epigenetics, the emerging study of how DNA activity can permanently change based on social factors like trauma or diet. Learn how life experiences shape the way genes are expressed -- and what that means for our understanding of gender.

Gender is not defined solely by chromosomes, as some women have a mosaic of X, XY, or XXX types. New research in epigenetics reveals that life events, hormones, and social stress can permanently alter how DNA is expressed, shaping identity at the most basic level. During pregnancy, a developing brain and body respond to these signals at different times, which can lead to a diversity of gender experiences. Accepting ourselves and one another may matter more than any single biological marker.